India vs New Zealand, ICCWTCF 2021, Today Match Prediction 19 June 2021

ind vs nz Match Prediction & Analysis

India and New Zealand will face each other in this mega final of the ICC World Test Championship Final on 18th June at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. Both teams are one of the strongest teams in this format and it will be a treat for the fans to watch this final of the first-ever World Test Championship. India finished at the top of the table in WTC and played a total of 17 matches out of which the team has won 12 matches. On the other hand, the number one side of this format; New Zealand won 7 games from 11 matches to finish at 2nd place in the WTC.

Both teams have strong squads for this one of kind finale. The Indian team will be looking to avenge the defeat in the World Cup’s semi-final in 2019 World Cup, while Blackcaps will try to win this game to erase the choker’s tag which is attached to their name for the World Tournaments. The Final was supposed to be played at Lord's but moved to Southampton where rain might play the spoilsport as per the forecasts. Let's hope we get to see full 5 days of exciting cricket in this first of its kind finale.

TEAMS PREVIEW

India Preview

After the heroic display of determination and top-class performance in winning the series against Aussies in Australia and then defeating England’s team in home conditions, the Indian team is all set to play the WTC final against New Zealand at Southampton on 18th June 2021. New Zealand defeated India in their backyard last year where the Indian team lost both the Tests by 7 and 10 wickets respectively. In the last series against England, India fought back strongly after the defeat in the first Test match to win the next three games comprehensively. Rohit Sharma scored 345 runs in 7 innings during that series whereas Ravi Ashwin took 32 wickets in 8 innings.

All-rounder; Ravindra Jadeja and pacer Mohammad Shami are both back in the squad after their recovery from injury which they had suffered in the Australian tour. Ishant Sharma who has now more than 300 test wickets along with Jasprit Bumrah will handle the bowling unit against Blackcap’s resolute batting lineup. Indian team looks set for the first WTC final. Indian captain Virat Kohli, who hasn’t scored a century since November 2019, will be looking to grab this opportunity to score this time in this historic match and try to help his team win the WTC's inaugural season against New Zealand.

Key players for India: Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah

India Predicted Playing XI:

Shubhman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah.

India Actual Playing XI:

Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami

New Zealand Preview

The number one Test side, New Zealand, will face the number two side of the same format in this opening season of the ICC World Test Championship to erase the curse of not winning a major ICC tournament in the past few years. Before defeating England in their own backyard, New Zealand registered a series victory over Pakistan in home conditions. They won both the tests to whitewash Pakistan’s side. Captain Kane Williamson scored 388 runs in 3 innings only during that series. Pacer Kyle Jemieson also displayed a top-class bowling performance to take 16 wickets in just 4 innings against PAK.

New Zealand’s new opener, Devon Conway had a perfect start to his Test career while playing against England. He has scored 306 runs in 4 innings with one double hundred to his name in the Debut Test match. Tim Southee showed his class with the ball in the first test against England to pick up 7 wickets in the first test. Overall, the New Zealand team is looking strong and they will leave no stone unturned to defeat the mighty Indians in this WTC final. With 3 pacers, Southee, Boult and Wagner and experienced batsmen like Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, Blackcaps will try to pressure on the Indian team on 18th June.

Key players for New Zealand: Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell/ BJ Watling(wk), Trent Boult, Matt Henry/Kyle Jemieson, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, Neil Wagner.

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, KS Williamson, Devon Conway, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Tom Latham, TG Southee, Kyle Jamieson

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather will be cloudy from the 18th of June to the 22nd of June and there are high chances that this cloudy weather will ruin this Final. The average maximum and minimum temperatures will be in the 19°C - 13°C range. Hopefully, the rain stays away for the fans to enjoy this spectacle of Test cricket.

Venue Details

The venue for this WTC final is the Rose Bowl stadium in Southampton. This beautiful ground has a capacity of 6500 and has conducted a few international as well as domestic games so far.

Toss: To Bat

This Rose Bowl has conducted 6 test matches in the last 10 years out of which 3 matches went as draw games. The pitch offers an equal advantage to batsmen as well as bowlers. But in the last 3 matches, the team who batted first won 2 matches. At this location, whichever team wins the toss will want to bat first.